2010 audi a3 Reviews and News

The 2.0 TDI engine is the new optional powerplant for the A3, Audi's small-car offering that first arrived here for 2006. The TDI certainly makes a lot more sense than the 3.2-liter V-6 (which has been dropped) as the alternative engine offering in this car, particularly as the latest version of the A3's standard, 2.0-liter turbo four boasts the drivability of a V-6. Indeed, only a small fraction of buyers chose the V-6, but Audi expects the TDI -- which just went on sale in December -- to account for 40 percent of A3 sales.

While the A3's gasoline engine comes with a choice of transmissions and front- or four-wheel drive, the TDI is offered exclusively with the six-speed S Tronic dual-clutch automatic and front-wheel drive. The latter might seem strange given that Audi's identity is so strongly wrapped up in Quattro all-wheel-drive, but most TDI buyers are going to be looking for maximum fuel economy. And the A3 TDI does deliver some standout numbers, particularly its 42 mpg EPA highway rating, which is the best of any premium-nameplate car, better even the Lexus HS250 hybrid -- although the Lexus hybrid easily tops the Audi's 30 mpg city figure. A more direct comparison is with the gasoline-powered A3. Similarly configured (with S Tronic and front-wheel drive), the TDI crushes the 2.0T's 22/28 mpg ratings. Considering that Audi charges only $1200 extra for the diesel, the TDI makes a pretty compelling case on economics alone. (Of course, the truly hardcore green eyeshade type wouldn't even shop in an Audi store; he/she would be down at the VW dealer, haggling mercilessly over a Golf TDI, which has the same powertrain.)

So, the TDI is far more economical and not much more expensive than a standard A3, but how does it drive? The short answer is: much better than the numbers suggest. Like all diesel engines, the TDI is relatively short on horsepower (140 hp) but long on torque (236 lb-ft) compared to its gasoline sibling (200 hp, 207 lb-ft). The low power figure explains the relatively long factory-quoted 0-to-60 mph time of 9.1 seconds (versus a brisk 6.9 seconds for the gasoline version). But the TDI actually feels much quicker in real world driving, because of the wealth of torque on tap at low engine speeds -- as low as 1750 rpm. So the relatively light throttle openings you use in most everyday driving produce lots of thrust.

Normally, sending a lot of torque through the front wheels is a recipe for torque steer, but any steering wheel twitchiness is well suppressed. Without the benefit of Quattro, pulling out onto a busy street can briefly overwhelm the front tires and call upon the services of the traction control system, but it's not much of an issue. The only negative with regard to driveability is the TDI's distinct diesel engine note, which is always present.

Other aspects of the A3 are not influenced by its diesel powertrain. Interior space is not bad considering the trim exterior dimensions, and the hatchback body style makes for a generous cargo hold -- 19.5 cubic feet (which is already more than a sedan of any size), expandable to 39 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. My test car was a fully loaded example, equipped with the titanium sport package , which includes sport seats with leather and Alcantara (suede) upholstery and contrasting stitching. The car also came with the optional navigation system (at an eye-watering $2050), but here the A3 shows its age somewhat, as the user interface and some of the controls are not as good as those found in newer Audis.

The titanium sport package also includes a sport suspension, which is firm but not harsh, despite the large, eighteen-inch wheels (with a dark finish). The A3's steering is decently weighted and very precise, but don't expect a whole lot of feel through the contoured wheel rim.

A3 sales are still a small part of the Audi total, but the fact that this car is in the lineup marks Audi as a forward-thinking luxury-car maker, a position that is reinforced by the addition of the TDI. Looking ahead, it's pretty easy to see that luxury is becoming disengaged from size, and that fuel economy and environmental consciousness is not a virtue only for lower price segments. The A3 TDI puts Audi on the vanguard of these trends, and makes for a pleasant (if pricey) way to drive green.

It's rare to have an Audi without Quattro pass through our garage. As all-wheel drive has become synonymous with the brand, it seems a front-wheel example of any Audi is an oddity. I happened to take this front-wheel-drive A3 TDI home on the night of Michigan's biggest winter storm. With a set of Michelin winter tires on, though, I hardly noticed that I had only two wheels to power through the slippery spots. Aside from the torquey engine occasionally spinning the front wheels, the A3 was composed and stable through thick city slush and at highway speeds.

Audi of America was kind enough to equip our A3 TDI test vehicle with a set of snow tires, so I felt well-equipped to tackle an early-February snowstorm in this front-wheel-drive oil burner. I was not disappointed: the Audi churned through the white stuff with ease.

An Audi with manual seats and no steering-wheel audio controls! I don't think I've ever experienced this before. But it's not hard to swallow, however, in a $31,000 Audi that's truly an excellent car that's fun to drive, stylish, exceptionally fuel-efficient, and still plenty luxurious.

After an overnight dump of six or so inches of wet, heavy snow, I was interested to see how whether the A3 would make it out of my neighborhood on unplowed roads (and uphill, to boot). The front-wheel-drive model tracked through the snow so well that if I hadn't known better, I'd have thought it was equipped with Quattro.

While it is nice to drive an Audi that I can actually afford; it'd be hard to justify spending $31,000 on a base, I mean base, A3 TDI when you can get a fully loaded Volkswagen Jetta TDI SportWagen for about the same price. But I think there's room in the market for both. The Jetta TDI SportWagen makes more sense if you want more bang for the buck, but the A3 TDI is a way for Audi brand loyalists to get a diesel wagon too, or for buyers who are looking for a bit more luxury than the Jetta can offer.

Our office is in universal agreement -- the Audi A3 TDI is far more involving than any hybrid currently on the market and even a bit sportier than its Volkswagen cousins. Just for fun I built a Volkswagen Golf TDI on the VW site. I had a hard time keeping the car under $27,000 with just a few luxury touches like DSG, nicer wheels, heated seats, and an upgraded audio system. When you consider that, $31,000 for an A3 doesn't seem outrageous. I much prefer this hatchback body to a sedan or wagon because it offers a lot of the utility of a wagon with a smaller footprint.

It's enlightening to drive the Volkswagen Jetta TDI wagon and the Audi A3 TDI within a few days of each other. While the Jetta has nothing to be ashamed of, the A3 improves on it in nearly every way. It's sportier, more refined, and far more attractive while still managing to be affordable. And, though, some people may not consider more than $30,000 for a mid-size wagon affordable, if you consider the long-term savings on fuel that achieving 30/42 mpg (city/highway) yields, the A3 TDI's overall cost of ownership drops considerably.

European and Japanese domestic market vehicles have had stop-start technology for a while now. With densely populated cities and constant traffic congestion, the systems can improve fuel economy in urban areas by 7-9%. But in American there is no fuel economy benefit.

calculator

Change the values below to adjust your monthly payment. All default values are based upon national averages.

Warranty

Recalls

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:34:50

Component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Summary

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 AUDI A3, TT, AND TT ROADSTER PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 AND AUGUST 26, 2009. THE CLOSING FORCE OF AN INTERNAL SPRING OF THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE IS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO HOLD THE VALVE CLOSED UNDER EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.

Consequences

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUDI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE WITH AN IMPROVED VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-253-2834.

Potential Units Affected

10,200

Notes

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:34:50

Component

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Summary

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009. THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED. WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH. IN ADDITION, THE "DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL" INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.

Consequences

THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

VOLKSWAGEN WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Potential Units Affected

16,000

Notes

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:11

Component

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Summary

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.

Consequences

DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy

VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.